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The Pick Of Sunday’s Football: English, Scottish, Spanish & Italian

August 30th, 2008

CHELSEA v TOTTENHAM

The game of the weekend takes place in the Queen’s capital, as Chelsea and Tottenham battle it out in a replay of last season’s Carling Cup final. The two couldn’t have more different starts to the season – the Blues look unbeatable, thanks to Deco, while Spurs have been simply awful.

The question is who will be playing in this encounter. Rumours abound that Chelsea are close to signing Robinho, while Spurs look set to clinch Russian star Roman Pavlyuchenko. Spurs are in need of some support for Darren Bent, who has yet to carry his pre-season form onto a Premier League pitch.

Read full Chelsea v Tottenham preview

Last Five League Results
Chelsea: 4 wins (Wigan, Pompey, Newcastle, Man Utd), 1 draw (Bolton)
Tottenham: 1 win (Reading), 1 draw (Bolton) 3 losses (Sunderland, Boro, Liverpool)

Prediction: A comfortable Chelsea win

SUNDERLAND v MANCHESTER CITY

Watch out for Keano! Whilst all eyes were on Man City’s failure to lure big-name players, Sunderland quietly bought a whole new team over the summer. And it’s a team filled with quality too. Djibril Cisse got off to an excellent start from the bench last weekend and will be looking to start this week, while Anton Ferdinand has completed his switch to the Stadium of Light.

Mark Hughes will be happy having seen his side quickly forget their opening day defeat with a convincing over West Ham. Jo is now back from the Olympics and much is expected of the costly Brazilian, after a string of useless/luckless strikers have passed in and out the doors at Eastlands.

Last Five League Results
Sunderland: 2 wins (Spurs, Boro), 3 losses (Liverpool, Arsenal, Bolton)
Man City: 1 win (West Ham), 4 losses (A Villa, Boro, Liverpool, Fulham)

Prediction: A tight one, but Sunderland will just nick it thanks to home support

CELTIC V RANGERS

It’s the first Old Firm derby of the season and typically there’s not much between these two. Both have identical records: two wins and one draw. Both also have new signings to show off, more so Rangers who welcome Maurice Edu and Kyle Lafferty to their first red-hot-cauldron encounters. Meanwhile Kenny Miller will face scorn, most likely from both sets of supporters, having represented both sides of the divide on numerous occasions.

Gordon Strachan will be hoping Georgios Samaras and Shaun Maloney can keep up the good work up front, especially considering their his only realistic strike options (both Vennegoor of Hesselink and McDonald are injury doubts). It’s hard to call these games, best just to sit back and enjoy.

Last Five League Results
Celtic: 4 wins (Falkirk, St Mirren, Dundee Utd, Hibs), 1 draw (Dundee Utd)
Rangers: 3 wins (Hearts, Falkirk, St Mirren), 1 draw (Aberdeen), 1 loss (Aberdeen)

Prediction: A draw, which will suit Kilmarnock who have the chance of topping the SPL this weekend

DEPORTIVO LA CORUNA v REAL MADRID

The Spanish league kicks off this weekend and the pick of the opening weekend’s clashes comes at the Estadio Municipal de Riazor. After four years of mid-table obscurity Deportivo fans are starting to forget the days when they actually used to compete against Madrid at the top of the tree. With Coloccini removed from their defence things won’t be getting any better.

Real look set to lose Robinho who, despite the heavy criticism, did his fair bit in terms of goalscoring last season to help guide his side towards winning the league. But in Raul and Ruud van Nistelrooy Madrid boast arguably the most prolific, if slightly ageing, strike partnership in La Liga.

Last Five League Results
Deportivo: 2 wins (Barcelona, Levante), 3 losses (Zaragoza, Atletico, Villareal)
Real Madrid: 4 wins (Bilbao, Osasuna, Barcelona, Levante), 1 draw (Zaragoza)

Prediction: A Real Madrid victory to set their stall out to all challengers

FIORENTINA v JUVENTUS

After finishing fourth Fiorentina fans are salivating at the chance to take a big scalp on the opening weekend of Serie A. Although manager Cesare Prandelli has ruled out a title challenge this year, many will be expecting them to be there or there abouts with a new strike partnership of Adrian Mutu and Alberto Gilardino leading the line.

Claudio Ranieri duly delivered the good times back to Juve on their return to the top flight, leading the team to third place last season. Palermo hot shot Amauri joins an enviable attack of Alex Del Piero, David Trezeguet and Vincenzo Iaqunita. Tough to call, but there could be goals galore, just like the 2-3 thriller in Turin last March.

Last Five League Results
Fiorentina: 3 wins (Torino, Parma, Palermo), 1 draw (Sampdoria), 1 loss (Cagliari)
Juventus: 2 wins (Lazio, Atalanta), 2 draws (Sampdoria, Catania), 1 loss (Siena)

Prediction: Sitting firmly on the fence, a draw as both sides cancel each other out

 

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Entry Filed under: English Football,European Football,Sports Betting